TUC backs government’s decision to revamp TOR, rejects full privatisation

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed the government’s decision to rehabilitate the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), describing it as a major boost for Ghanaian workers and a positive step towards preserving one of the country’s strategic national assets.

TUC Chairman Bernard Owusu said the decision by President John Dramani Mahama reflects the long-standing demands of organised labour, which has consistently opposed plans to transfer control of the refinery to private investors.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM, Mr. Owusu praised the President for choosing to restore TOR’s operations instead of pursuing what he described as attempts by the previous administration to privatise the refinery.

“President John Mahama has given Ghanaians exactly what we wanted. He has restored confidence in Ghanaian workers and the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers’ Union at TOR, who stood together to oppose plans by the previous administration to hand over the refinery to a private company under the guise of privatisation,” he said.

Mr. Owusu reiterated the TUC’s long-held position against the complete privatisation of key state-owned enterprises, arguing that such arrangements often leave the government with only a small stake while private investors gain the greater share of the benefits.

He, however, clarified that organised labour does not oppose every form of private sector participation, provided the state retains significant ownership and control.

“The TUC is not against private sector involvement. What we oppose is any arrangement where the state loses control, retains only about 20 per cent ownership, while a private company takes the remaining 80 per cent,” he explained.

According to him, many private firms that acquire state assets under similar agreements often lack the financial strength and technical expertise required to successfully operate them.

“In many cases, the companies that take over these institutions do not have the credibility or the capacity to manage them effectively,” he noted.

Mr. Owusu also warned against allowing private interests to dictate decisions involving strategic national assets, stressing that such moves could undermine the country’s long-term economic objectives.

“Sometimes, a few individuals come together and plan to take over these national assets for their own benefit,” he stated.

He maintained that TOR should remain under a management structure that protects Ghana’s strategic interests, supports employment, strengthens energy security and ensures that the benefits of the refinery continue to accrue to the state rather than being transferred to private entities.

Prince Antwi

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